Integrated Project and Event Manager

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From content to technology, Follett helps educators unlock potential in more than 45 million students worldwide.
The Opportunity: Reporting to the Marketing Director of Brand and Communications, we are seeking an Integrated Project and Event Manager to lead our Software event strategy the Marketing Department’s project workflow and production.
This position is a strategic and highly collaborative role that works cross-functionally with internal team members across Marketing, Sales, Leadership, Product and Customer Success, as well as our customer base.
On the event front, this role will lead and oversee the strategic planning of Follett School Solutions’ (FSS) annual event calendar, which includes both national and regional events, Follett Institutes, Webinars, and special events as assigned.
This role will be responsible for managing and mentoring an event coordinator, with the possibility of an expanded team in the future.
This role will be responsible for planning and executing our largest and most strategic events including national shows, our internal sales meeting, our webinar program and other special events as assigned to amplify brand visibility, enhance customer and employee relationships, and drive demand generation and pipeline activity for the organization.
S/he will build and manage the events budget and, in doing so, negotiate contracts to maximize cost effectiveness.
(This will be 65% of the role) Extending the skillset of an Event Manager who is organized, process oriented and deadline driven, this role will also oversee the Marketing Department’s project workflow and production processes within the marketing project management tool (Smartsheet).
This position is diligent on keeping current with all elements and phases of a multi-channel marketing campaign.
This individual ensures each project is accomplished, on task and scheduled to meet the designated deadline.
S/he is responsible for assessing all marketing project requests that are submitted, building out accurate projects and campaigns in the marketing project management tool, coordinating and communicating needs across stakeholders, understanding the status of each deliverable, anticipating and notifying appropriate team members of possible challenges and delays, and trouble shooting and adjusting the necessary timelines and resources as needed.
(This will be 35% of the role) Who You Are: This position requires a candidate who is strategic, communicative, collaborative and has a diplomatic touch.
To be successful in this role, s/he needs to be: Extremely organized and deadline driven.
Have excellent project and time management skills.
Ability to prioritize and re-prioritize competing deadlines and projects.
Ability to produce high-quality output and simultaneously support multiple large projects and events at once.
Ability to lead and motivate a team of strong performers.
Be an expert in tracking and disseminating information.
Highly collaborative and thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities: [65% of Role] Lead and oversee the strategic planning of the annual FSS event schedule, including national, regional, Follett Institutes, webinars, internal sales meetings and special events as assigned.
Responsible for planning and executing our largest and most strategic events including national shows, our internal sales meeting, our webinar program and other special events as assigned.
Managing and mentoring an event coordinator, with the possibility of an expanded team in the future.
Develop processes to create operational efficiencies and continue to elevate the FSS event program year over year.
Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and build and manage the annual event budget.
[35% of Role] Serve as system administrator of marketing project management tool (Smartsheet) Oversees account set-up, troubleshoots issues for all team members accessing the tool, training on the tool for the team.
Responsible for ongoing self-training on the tool to ensure the department is utilizing all appropriate capabilities.
Develops, manages, and owns the workflow process from marketing project assignment to setting deadlines and completion.
Receives and reviews all submitted project and single-edit requests, ensuring all necessary information and assets are included; follows up with stakeholders and gathers any missing information prior to the project kicking off.
Prioritizes and re-prioritizes the project queue based on business objectives and resource availability.
Adjusts project deliverable dates accordingly and communicates all movement with key members.
Provides timely and accurate updates to Marketing Leadership and Marketing Stakeholders and adjusts assignments as needed, while ensuring appropriate talent is used and workloads are evenly maintained.
Adjusts each project schedule and overall workload as job demands change.
Informs team members of any updates and changes as and when they occur.
Reviews all projects and tasks within the queue and pipeline to ensure a firm grasp on all project statuses and accuracy of timelines.
Anticipates and flags any potential delays or issues with projects and tasks and brings together the appropriate stakeholders to address said issues.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree Required 7-10 years of event management experience in progressively more complex roles 3-5 years of experience in managing and mentoring a small team of event coordinators.
Experience with working collaboratively with Marketing, Product Management, Sales, Customer Success and Leadership.
Working knowledge of project management and event planning tools.
Experience in creating and managing $400K+ event budget.
Solid organization skills, including multi-tasking and time- management.
Strong written and verbal communication acumen.
Expert in the Microsoft suite of products.
What Sets Us Apart: Opportunity to make a difference in a rapidly growing company.
You will be challenged and encouraged to broaden your skills.
Direct exposure to Executive leadership team.
Great health benefits, PTO, and holiday policies Work from home work environment